Credit: Highlands Health Systems

On Friday, November 10, 2017, Highlands Health System announced that the Highlands Center for Autism will be ending services at the end of the year. The center began operation in July 2009 and received national recognition for its work and has been a leading advocate for the use of applied behavior analysis to treat autism spectrum disorders. In a press release, Highlands Health Systems said the annual operating cost could be as much as $800,000 and the decline in donations to the Highlands Foundation, which helps support the center, and lack of insurance coverage for treatment of autism played a role in the decision to close. During the holiday break in December, children will have the opportunity to transition into other programs with the center’s staff assisting families through this process.